For peaceful coexistence

With an interview with Mgr. Ferenc Cserháti, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest (Hungary), SIR Europe is continuing its special feature dedicated to the reflections of European bishops on the process of European integration and on the Church’s thought on the European common home (cfr SIR Europe 62-63-64-65-66-67-69/2011).What beliefs and expectations do catholics have in your country towards the EU?“Hungarian Catholics have an objective and realistic vision of Europe. They especially expect a real subsidiarity, which should provide a solution of local problems on site and the support of the most influential units in favor of the less powerful. In this sense, there is also a strong desire of a Europe of regions, which, in addition to meeting their own interests, would look at historical and cultural developments. Hungarians also hope for greater solidarity among the member countries. After Hungary’s entrance in the EU in 2004, the economic conditions in our country have significantly worsened. Unemployment rate is high, the local industry is virtually bankrupt, agriculture receives less funding than in the EU founding countries and our debt has hugely grown up. After the fall of the customs border, even local agriculture is threatened by the domestic competitiveness of the other EU member states. Although the EU finances some projects, individual citizens will get very little profit from them. The economic expectations of many Hungarians have been deeply disappointed. Nevertheless, the vast majority remain convinced that the entrance of Hungary into the European Union was a good choice. I wonder what the citizens of this country are still willing to pay, for the good of the EU”.Consensus is based on correct information: considering your daily experience, do you believe that information on the European Union and European Churches is adequate?“Media reports during the Hungarian Presidency of the EU have enriched the population with very diversified information and controversial issues. I agree with many of my fellow countrymen, however, about the absence of balanced, adequate, objective and free information on the EU and the European Churches. In the West, especially as far as dual nationality, the laws on the media, the name of God and the protection of life enshrined in the European Constitution are concerned, too many assumptions, too many doubts, too many wrong interpretations – if not downright lies and accusations – have been spread, which have fuelled throughout the country a negative opinion on the EU, thus strengthening the lobby of Hungarian Eurosceptics. By now, we have a strong feeling that the central structures of the Union are hostile towards Christianity”.How can the Church give a contribution to the European Union in your country?“Mutual understanding among peoples is one of the main programs of the Hungarian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, which is strongly committed to resolving the issue of the Roma. In front of the menacing and brutal escalation of tensions between Gypsies and some dubious lobbies in the country, the Hungarian bishops have issued a joint pastoral letter which has been understood by all people of good will, and still represents a guideline for peaceful coexistence. In collaboration with other Catholic Bishops’ Conferences and non-Catholic Churches, but also together with official bodies, our Church has helped to develop a Community Strategy on the issue of the Roma. Despite the fact that the promotion of a specific structure or political system is not part of the tasks of the Church, our Hungarian bishops are convinced that the Hungarian Catholic community could play an important role in the European context. Together with the Bishops of the neighboring countries, the Hungarian Bishops organize events for the reconciliation of hearts in Europe. In this regard, in 2006, with the Slovak Bishops we initiated a process of official reconciliation, expressing openly: “We forgive and we ask for forgiveness”. Since then, the climate of mutual co-operation has improved and the Church has also contributed to appease the nationalist tendencies of secular politics. Finally, I would like to refer to the two Hungarian bishops’ pastoral letters, which, in view of the European elections, recalled the responsibility of Christians to a more intense cooperation in the European Union, thus giving a contribution to the formation of a European consciousness”.What stock do you take about the work carried out by the European Churches in the EU?“To date, the institutional work conducted by the Churches in relation to the issues which are important to the Christian religion has not proved particularly successful with the EU bodies. Perhaps the ecclesiastical bodies should express more clearly their Christian beliefs. In Brussels, ecclesiastical bodies have the task of representing the Christian orientation of the European bodies and not that of being European missionaries inside the Church. Unfortunately, despite some improvements and valuable efforts, even in the near future, the influence of Christian thought on the EU will be quite limited”.